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Howlett ties tries record as Blues beat Lions 41-14

The Blues' Ben Atiga is tackled by the Lions' Cobus Grobler in their Super 14 rugby match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Winger Doug Howlett scored twice to tie Joe Roff's record of 57 tries in Super 12 or 14 rugby as the Auckland Blues beat South Africa's Lions 41-14 at Eden Park yesterday.

Howlett scored in the 27th minute to match Christian Cullen's second-place mark of 56 tries, then touched down in the 68th minute to join Australian Test winger Roff as the leading tryscorer in the 11-year history of the professional competition.

The now-retired Roff scored 57 tries in 86 matches between 1996 and 2004 while Howlett matched his mark in 99 matches, with his fourth try of the season.

The Blues scored in the opening minute of the match, clinched a four-try bonus point before half-time and went on to win by six tries to two, securing their place at the top of the championship table.

Flyhalf David Holwell scored the Blues' first try a minute after the kickoff, unleashing an avalanche of first-half scoring. Tries followed to wingers Howlett and Rudi Wulf, fullback Ben Atiga and flanker Daniel Braid as the Blues put the result beyond doubt.

Auckland took 28 minutes to score in the second half, with Howlett breaking the drought to clinch his record. The Lions defended more sternly in the second half and scored in the final minute to make the second half score 7-7.

The Blues established their dominance through the powerful running of their forwards. They were able to crash through the defensive line then pass, creating havoc in the Lions' backfield.

Holwell scored in the opening minute after a devastating burst by the powerful Williams, who was in the starting lineout for the first time this season. The veteran flyhalf, who was also enjoying his first run on chance, added four conversions and a penalty to finish with 16 points.

Strong midfield running by All Blacks Sam Tuitupou and Isaia Toeava also troubled the Lions' defense and created space from which Wulf, Howlett and Atiga scored tries. Braid touched down from a lineout drive for the Blues' fifth try on the tick of halftime.
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